Light Truck or Delivery Services Drivers

The day starts early for the delivery truck drivers and driver/sales workers who ensure local businesses open with stocked shelves, and may continue late into the night as drivers ensure that customers receive their products and services throughout the day. These drivers’ vehicles are lighter than semis, weighing less than 26,000 pounds. Delivery truck drivers and driver/sales workers need a thorough knowledge of their local street grid to plan their routes —especially which roads allow trucks. Light truck drivers drive small trucks or vans from distribution centers or stores… to homes and businesses, following an established schedule. Most work for retail and wholesale trade companies, or couriers. Driver/sales workers usually have a regular delivery route, and also visit potential clients to expand their sales. They might deliver an order to a hardware store, then promote a new product to the store manager. They also deliver and receive payments for goods such as take-out food or pizza. These drivers generally work full time. It can be physically demanding work —driving for long periods, lifting, and carrying boxes. Injury rates are higher than for most jobs. Delivery truck drivers and driver/sales workers usually have a high school education, and must have a driver’s license and clean driving record. A few weeks of on-the-job training is typical.

What they do:

Drive a light vehicle, such as a truck or van, with a capacity of less than 26,000 pounds Gross Vehicle Weight (GVW), primarily to deliver or pick up merchandise or to deliver packages. May load and unload vehicle.

On the job, you would:

Obey traffic laws and follow established traffic and transportation procedures.

Turn in receipts and money received from deliveries.

Read maps and follow written or verbal geographic directions.

Knowledge

Business

customer service

Transportation

movement of people or goods by air, rail, sea, or road

Safety and Government

law and government

Arts and Humanities

English language

Skills

Basic Skills

listening to others, not interrupting, and asking good questions

talking to others

Problem Solving

noticing a problem and figuring out the best way to solve it

Abilities

Spatial

know where things are around you

Controlled Movement

use your arms and/or legs together while sitting, standing, or lying down

quickly change the controls of a machine, car, truck or boat

Attention

do two or more things at the same time

pay attention to something without being distracted

Endurance

exercise for a long time without getting out of breath

Personality

People interested in this work like activities that include practical, hands-on problems and solutions.